1 hour 5 minutes | Thursday, 26 February 2026
Steven Dryden Hall is back with another engaging edition of Meet the Owner, joined by entrepreneurs Samantha Paul and Rachel to talk about the fast-growing Solo Connects singles events business.
From school struggles and unexpected career twists to building a thriving events brand from scratch, this conversation lifts the lid on what it really takes to create momentum in business. Samantha and Rachel share how a simple coffee meeting turned into a £75k first-year venture, why real-life connections still matter in the age of dating apps, and the practical realities of scaling into new regions.
There’s honest chat about entrepreneurship, mindset, marketing, and the challenges of attracting the right audience — plus some entertaining behind-the-scenes stories along the way.
If you’re interested in start-up growth, side hustles, community events, or the dating industry, this episode is packed with insights and personality.
In this episode:
The origin story of Solo Connects
Turning organic marketing into real revenue
Lessons from corporate careers and early jobs
Why in-person dating events are booming
Plans to scale across the UK
The mindset behind successful founders
Subscribe for more real business stories from real owners.
#MeetTheOwner #SoloConnects #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessGrowth #StartUpUK #DatingEvents #WomenInBusiness #MarketingStrategy #SideHustle #PodcastUK